Follow this podcast - teacher and pupil resource coming out soon for every episode Helping children understand what it really means to belong, while developing the confidence to contribute, remain true to themselves, cope with feeling left out and help create communities where other people feel included, known and valued too. In Series 17 of Mindful Moments with Miss Harrison, children explore one of our most fundamental emotional needs: belonging. Across six thoughtful and encouraging episodes, Miss Harrison helps children understand that belonging is much more than simply being surrounded by people or being part of a group. Genuine belonging means feeling included, known and accepted. It means recognising that there is a place for us while also learning how our own actions can help create that feeling for somebody else. The series begins with What Does It Mean to Belong?, where children discover that belonging is about connection rather than simply being somewhere. Through Yusuf joining a new class, they see how small actions can send powerful messages. Amina pulling across an extra chair and saying, “Yusuf's in our group too,” begins to change the classroom from somewhere Yusuf attends into somewhere he feels he belongs. Children learn that belonging grows when we feel included, known and accepted. In Being Part of a Group, children explore the balance between contributing their own ideas and making room for everyone else. Through Oscar and the den-building challenge, they see what happens when one person's enthusiasm unintentionally takes over. Once Oscar steps back and the group begins listening to one another, everyone's strengths contribute to something better than any one person could have created alone. The Group Jigsaw reinforces the message: “My piece matters—and so does yours.” Being Yourself Around Others takes the idea of belonging deeper. Through Amina pretending to enjoy football cards because she wants to fit in, children explore the difference between joining in and changing themselves to gain acceptance. When Amina finally shares her genuine fascination with space, she discovers that friendship does not require everyone to love exactly the same things. Children learn to notice when they are pretending, share the real version of themselves and make room for other people's differences too. In When You Feel Left Out, children explore one of the most difficult parts of belonging. Through Oliver being unable to join a football game that has already started, they see how quickly one moment can become a much bigger thought such as “Nobody wants me.” Children learn to name the feeling, check the story and choose the next step. Importantly, the episode distinguishes between an isolated moment of exclusion and being deliberately and repeatedly left out, when children should speak to a trusted adult. Helping Someone Else Belong turns children's attention outwards. The series encourages them to become Belonging Spotters—noticing moments when someone may be standing at the edge of a group and recognising that small gestures such as a smile, saying hello, making space or inviting somebody to join can have a much bigger impact than we realise. Children discover that belonging is not only something we receive; it is something we can actively help create for others. Finally, We All Have a Place brings the whole series together through the image of a class mosaic. Every child's square is different, yet when the pieces are placed together they create something that none could have made alone. No piece has to disappear or change to match another. Children learn three final messages: your place matters, other people's places matter too and belonging can grow over time. Together, the six episodes develop a rich and realistic understanding of belonging: Belonging does not mean everyone has to be the same. We can contribute without taking over. We can connect with people without pretending to be somebody else. We can cope when one moment makes us feel left out. We can notice people who may be standing at the edge. And we can help create families, friendships, classrooms and communities where different people know: “There is a place for me here.” Episodes in this series: S17 E1 Belonging and Being Yourself - What Does It Mean to Belong? Understanding that belonging is about feeling included, known and accepted—and recognising the people and places that help us feel connected. S17 E2 Belonging and Being Yourself - Being Part of a Group Learning to contribute ideas and strengths while also making space for everybody else to participate. S17 E3 Belonging and Being Yourself - Being Yourself Around Others Recognising that genuine belonging should not require us to hide our interests or pretend to be somebody else. S17 E4 Belonging and Being Yourself - When You Feel Left Out Naming the hurt of exclusion, checking the story our mind creates and choosing a helpful next step. S17 E5 Belonging and Being Yourself - Helping Someone Else Belong Noticing people who may be on the edge of a group and using small acts of welcome and inclusion to help them feel that they matter. S17 E6 Belonging and Being Yourself - We All Have a Place Bringing together belonging, difference and inclusion and recognising that every person can have a place without having to become the same. What children will explore across the series: What belonging really meansWhy being somewhere is not the same as feeling that you belongHow feeling included, known and accepted builds connectionWhy small gestures can communicate “There is a place for you here”How we can belong to many different groups and communitiesWhy every member of a group has something to contributeHow to balance sharing our own ideas with making space for other peopleWhy different strengths can make groups strongerHow to recognise when we may be pretending in order to fit inWhy friendship does not require everybody to enjoy or believe exactly the same thingsHow to say “That's not really my thing” or “This is what I like”Why strong relationships make room for differenceHow feeling left out can lead to sadness, anger, embarrassment, jealousy or worryWhy one moment of exclusion does not automatically define a friendshipHow to name the feeling, check the story and choose the next stepWhen repeated or deliberate exclusion should be shared with a trusted adultHow to notice somebody who may be standing at the edge of a groupWhy small acts of welcome can make a significant differenceHow we can help other people feel included, known and valuedWhy our own place mattersWhy other people's places matter tooHow belonging can develop gradually as relationships and connections growEmotional Skills from Miss Harrison: Notice where you belong Think about the people and places that help you feel: “There's a place for me here.” Contribute and make space Ask yourself: “What can I contribute?” and then: “How can I help somebody else contribute too?” Be yourself around others Notice when you may be pretending simply to fit in. Remind yourself: “I can belong and still be me.” Check the story If you feel left out, name the feeling and ask: “What do I actually know?” One difficult moment does not always tell the whole story. Notice the edge of the group Look around for somebody who may not yet feel included. A smile, a hello, a space beside you or an invitation can matter enormously. Remember that every place matters Your ideas, interests, strengths and personality matter—and so do everybody else's. Together, these skills help children develop belonging, self-awareness, confidence, social awareness, empathy, inclusion, perspective-taking, resilience, relationship skills and appreciation of difference. Perfect for: Primary school-aged children exploring belonging, identity and relationshipsChildren joining a new class, friendship group, club or communityChildren who worry about fitting in or being differentChildren who sometimes feel excluded or left outFamilies discussing friendship, connection and individualityClassrooms developing inclusive communities where every voice mattersTeachers and pastoral teams supporting friendship and belongingSchools exploring PSHE, inclusion, emotional literacy and relationshipsChildren learning how their own actions can help other people feel welcomeSeries Message: You do not have to become the same as everybody else to belong. Bring your own piece to the picture, make room for other people's pieces too, and help create places where everyone can feel included, known and accepted. #MindfulMoments #BelongingAndBeingYourself #Belonging #BeingYourself #Inclusion #Connection #Friendship #FeelingIncluded #WeAllHaveAPlace #ChildrensWellbeing #ChildrensMentalHealth #PrimaryPSHE #EmotionalWellbeing #SocialEmotionalLearning #Relationships #InclusionMatters #WellbeingInSchools Send us Fan Mail Support the show